Anderson argues that the work ethic, once a progressive idea about dignity, purpose and contribution, has been twisted into a tool for exploitation. She traces how neoliberalism took the old Protestant idea of hard work and turned it against workers, demanding obedience and sacrifice while letting the rich off the hook. The result was a system where workers are told their worth depends on relentless toil, while elites profit from ownership and speculation. Anderson does not just critique this setup, but she shows how the original work ethic had democratic roots, tied to autonomy, respect, and social contribution. Her fix is to reclaim that vision – rebuild a work ethic that empowers people, supports worker voices and treats labour as a foundation for citizenship, not just productivity.